DAILY Post publisher Trinity Mirror yesterday unveiled a major reorganisation plan for the group, as it announced a 3pc rise in first half profits.

It revealed plans for 550 job cuts as part of a programme designed to save &#xA3;25m a year. Trinity Mirror aims to cut posts around the country by centralising accounts, IT and human resources departments. The newspaper publisher currently employs 12,000 staff and owns 260 regional and national titles.

Pre-tax profits for the year were &#xA3;80.4m, which compares to &#xA3;78.4m in the previous year. The profits rise came despite a small dip in sales, down 1.4pc at &#xA3;551m.

Trinity Mirror also announced plans to sell its titles in Northern Ireland.

Chief executive Sly Bailey, who joined the group earlier this year, unveiled the results of her initial review of the business. Setting out a vision for a "fundamentally stronger and better performing company", Ms Bailey said she would stabilise, revitalise then grow the business.

Much of the focus will be on Trinity Mirror's portfolio of national titles, which include the Daily and Sunday Mirror, the People and the Daily Record.

Ms Bailey signalled the division would have to become "far more robust" and show a much deeper understanding of its readership.

Changes have already restored the Daily Mirror's populist tone following editor Piers Morgan's pursuit of a serious news agenda in the wake of September 11.

Ms Bailey said: "The title must be about what matters to readers alone - and must see the world through their eyes."